Improvements in ceramic block filter driers

摘要

A ceramic block filter drier for both liquids and gases comprises an elongated hollow body of porous ceramic material open at one end having desiccant material located therein, a jacket sorrounding and spaced away from the body, inlet and outlet means adjacent the ends of the body and means forming a circumferentially extending seal between one end of the body and the jacket. In a preferred embodiment, Figs. 1 and 2, the elongated cylindrical metallic case 11 is formed from a pair of dieformed cup-shaped shells 13 and 14 which are joined by a soldered internal sleeve 15, alternative means of joining are by mating threaded ends or an external sleeve with or without threads. Each shell is provided with a conduit coupler 16. Within the case 11 is hollow porous ceramic filter block 12 and chamber 17 being filled to any desired degree with desiccant 18 which is held in place by a perforated metallic cap 19 and a fine woven wire strainer disc 20. The larger end of the ceramic block 12 has a diameter sufficient to produce a press-fitted seal against the inner surface of flange 22 on the cap 19. The outer surface of the block is longitudinally fluted at 121 to maximize the filter surface area whilst a spring 24 holds the filter block firmly against the end of the shell 14. The spring is coaxially mounted on the block by a cap 25 having a small concentric seat 26 into which the spring fits. Alternative embodiments (Figs. 4 and 5, not shown), disclosed may have a shock pad of fibreglass at the smaller end of the body 12 to eliminate the looseness of the desiccant and a woven glasscloth over the open end of the chamber, alternatively the smaller end of the chamber may be open and the pad of fibreglass retained by a perforated metallic cup press-fitted into the opening. Other embodiments (Figs. 8 and 9, not shown), illustrate the use of a porcelain filter block with a perforated cap of sheet metal or plastic and a pad of fibreglass adjacent to the cap, whilst the jacket is formed by a cylindrical body closed at one end by an integral transverse wall and closed at the other by a cap having a trough-shaped flange fitting peripherally within the jacket. The drying and filtering of a refrigerant is disclosed.